The addition of hatchery-grown trout to local streams "takes the focus off of targeting wild fish," he said.

There was plenty of targeting of the recently-released fish in West Branch on Wednesday. For hours after the stocking, numerous anglers could be seen lining both sides of the creek just downstream of the Chapman Lake spillway.

Arden Tremblay of Warren and his brother, Ron, participated in the release of the fish. They were impressed by the size of the trout released and were looking forward to trying to catch some of them. "I have to go fishing up here now," Arden Tremblay said.

When trout are released when the water temperature is cold, like in the spring, they become more quickly acclimated to their new surroundings because the water temperature is more like that in which they were grown.

The commission's website lists the following dates for upcoming stockings in Warren County: